By Beacon Staff



The second novel coronavirus (COVID-19) death in Des Moines County was confirmed Saturday by the Iowa Department of Public Health.



No further details, including who the person was, their location, or when they died, was provided. The first coronavirus death in Des Moines County was reported by the state health department on April 26.



The news comes on the heels of a reported outbreak at Prairie Ridge Care and Rehabilitation in Mediapolis, where three residents and one staff member tested positive. One of those four already had recovered by the time the outbreak was reported.



As of 1 p.m. Saturday, 69 cases of COVID-19 had been reported in Des Moines County, and 50 of those have recovered. Nine additional COVID-19 deaths in Iowa have been reported since 10 a.m. Friday, raising the death toll to 598.



Another 386 cases have been reported since 10 a.m. Friday, bringing Iowa's total to 21,479 confirmed cases. Of that number, 12,697 have recovered.



Across Iowa, 23 COVID-19 patients were admitted to the hospital in the last 24 hours, bringing the state total to 299 hospitalized. Of those in the hospital, 102 are in intensive care while 62 are on ventilators.



One in every 17 Iowans has been tested at a positive rate of 11.6 percent.



Three counties in Iowa have been designated as possible hotspots by the Centers for Disease Control — Buena Vista County, Woodbury County, and Wright County.



The designation, which comes from an internal CDC document dated May 27 that was distributed to federal agencies, has not been made public. The CDC’s areas of concern are described as those counties “with the greatest burden who are still demonstrating growth.”



The CDC has declined to discuss the document.

Another COVID-19 Death Confirmed in Des Moines County

By Beacon Staff



The visible trail of smoke wafting Saturday evening from Mosquito Park in Burlington wasn’t as serious as it may have looked.



The Burlington Fire Department made sure of that.



Firefighters responded to the tiny park at 7:43 p.m. Saturday (June 13), where they discovered a small blaze consuming dead leaves and vegetation.



The initial call to the fire department cited fireworks as a possible cause, and fireworks residue was discovered on the scene. There wasn’t enough evidence to name an official cause, however, fireworks are considered the likely cause.



Firefighters deployed a booster line to extinguish the fire, clearing the scene 10 minutes after they arrived. A booster line is a rubber-covered, thick-walled, flexible hose used to fight small fires. It retains its round cross-section when it is not under pressure and is usually carried on a reel on the fire truck, rather than being stored flat.



Mosquito Park, located on the corner of Third and Franklin streets, sits on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.



Burlington Police fielded nine fireworks calls between 7:43 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. Saturday, but no other fires were reported.



Burlington city ordinance prohibits exploding those fireworks within city limits, though they are legal to purchase.

More Smoke Than Fire in Mosquito Park

By Beacon Staff



Four cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed at Prairie Ridge Care and Rehabilitation in Mediapolis, but one of those infected already has recovered.



The Iowa Department of Public Health did not clarify if the four cases were patients, employees, or both.



Des Moines County has 66 cases of novel coronavirus as of Wednesday morning (June 3). Of that number, 50 have recovered, and one person has died.



Henry County has reported 72 cases, with 58 recovered and two deaths. Louisa County has reported 346 cases, with 255 recovered and 11 deaths. Lee County has reported 27 cases, with 19 recovered and zero deaths.



About 314 Iowan were in the hospital for coronavirus as of Wednesday morning, compared to 327 the day before. Of those, 116 are in the ICU, an increase of two from the day before. Fifteen Iowans have been admitted to the hospital for coronavirus in the last 24 hours, compared to 12 from the previous 24-hour period.



A total of 20,012 Iowans have tested positive for coronavirus, and 11,892 have recovered. The death toll stood at 564 as of Wednesday morning.

Coronavirus Reported at Mediapolis Nursing Home

Game review by William Smith



I don’t know much about basketball. I had to look up the word “rebound” after angry fourth-grade parents screamed it at me during my first and only basketball try-out.



Determined to shield myself from further public humiliation, I worked out the rules of the sport through video games. Classics like “Lakers versus Celtics and the NBA Playoffs” and “NBA Jam” proved to be much more competent teachers.



Much like Spike Lee’s “Hoop Dreams,” the two-on-two formula of “NBA Jam” held a universal appeal that reached beyond the sports. If you’re a 1990s kid, you likely played it.



But I never heard my friends mention “Slam City with Scottie Pippen.” Probably because they had never heard of it.



A Sega CD game released toward the end of the ill-fated console’s lifespan, “Slam City” consists entirely of movie footage — a common gimmick for CD-Rom games of the era. The “Choose-Your-Own-Adventure”-type genre suffered a pitiful death at the hands of disinterested gamers and critics, but I’ll always be a fan.



“Slam City” is one of the few games of the genre I missed entirely, until last week.



The action takes place from a first-person-perspective, via a camera that roves across a basketball half-court as though the player is dribbling. A digitized representation of the player fills the bottom of the screen, which you must position correctly to shoot the ball, steal the ball, etc.



Your opponents (i.e., actors who didn’t make it to TV) are constantly in your face, talking trash through offense and defense.



Every game consists of hundreds of strung-together video clips that change according to the player’s actions. Stealing the ball counts as an automatic slam dunk, treating you to a ludicrously overblown video clip of your character flipping through the air as he deposits the ball.



It’s so fun, so 90s, that I was able to overlook the overbearing difficulty with a generous amount of modern cheating.



There’s often no way to tell when you can steal the ball, when you can’t, or when you shouldn’t. The free-flowing action devolves into an overly restrictive process of trial-and-error and memorization. Typically, the game ends in a video clip of the opposing player slamming the ball back into your face.



Despite the lost opportunity at the time of its release, “Slam City with Scottie Pippen” has become a cult classic. It's a cultural oddity that should have spawned more manageable sequels.



Given Pippen’s renewed relevance in “The Last Dance” ESPN documentary series, maybe he would be up for a sequel.



Every good game needs an even better bad guy, even basketball games.

"Slam City With Scottie Pippen" (Sega CD, 1994)

By Beacon Staff



Local voters went to the polls in force on Tuesday to cast their ballot in Iowa's primary election. The winners will represent their party in November’s general election.



In the race to replace Mike Johnstone as Des Moines County Sheriff, Democrat Kevin Glendening will face Republican George Rinker in November. Glendening, who was running uncontested in the Democratic primary, received 3,383 votes. Rinker received 1,446 votes, followed by Al Waterman with 628 votes, and Drake Fenton with 307 votes.



Five Republicans and one Democrat were on Tuesday's ballot to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, who represents Iowa's 2nd District.



Rita Hart, the sole Democrat in the race, garnered 3,418 votes in Des Moines County and had a district-wide total of 61,855 votes in the unofficial tally.



Marrianette Miller-Meeks received the most votes in the Republican race. She garnered 1,357 votes in Des Moines County and a district-wide total of 21,212 votes. Runner up Bobby Schilling received 879 votes in Des Moines County with a district-wide total of 15,906. Steve Everly, Rick Phillips, and Tim Borchardt received 2,594, 2,250, and 2,171 votes district-wide, respectively.



Incumbent U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican, ran uncontested for her senate seat. She received 2,564 votes in Des Moines County and a total of 200,611 votes statewide.



In the Democratic primary to unseat Ernst, Theresa Greenfield received the most votes at 124,327 statewide and 2,205 votes in Des Moines County. Michael Franken received 66,051 votes statewide, followed by Kimberly Graham with 39,457, Eddie Mauro with 29,110 votes, and Cal Woods with. 3,245 votes.



Tim Goodwin was the top vote-getter in the GOP primary to replace retiring Republican state Sen. Tom Greene. Goodwin received 1,872 votes in Des Moines County, according to the unofficial tally. Goodwin received a combined total of 2,812 from Des Moines, Louisa, and Muscatine counties. Matt Rinker received 830 votes in Des Moines County, with a total of 1,136 for the three counties.



Meanwhile, Tom Courtney led the Democratic field with 2,755 votes in the unofficial tally. Courtney received a combined total of 3,527 votes case in Des Moines, Louisa, Muscatine counties. Rex Troute received 482 votes in Des Moines County and a total of 572 for the three counties. Kevin Warth received 474 in Des Moines County but had a higher total than Troute at 767 votes when the other two counties factored in.



State representative for the 87th District Dennis Cohoon, a Democrat, who ran unchallenged in the primary received 2,793 votes. There is no Republican challenger.



State representative for the 88th District, Republican David Kerr, ran uncontested in the primary to retain his seat. He received 2,615 district-wide votes according to Tuesday's unofficial tally. Democratic challenger, Sandy Dockendorff, also running uncontested in the primary, received 1,789 district-wide votes.



Incumbent Des Moines County Supervisors Jim Cary and Bob Beck, both Democrats, ran unopposed for their seats. Cary received 2,961 votes, with Beck receiving 2,905 votes. Nina Covert, the sole Republican running for the board of supervisors, received 1,956 votes.



Photo by Joy Mack



Burlington voters cast ballots Tuesday at Southeastern Community College’s Hall of Sciences building in West Burlington.

Voters Make Their Voices Heard At Ballot Box

By William Smith



The protest was peaceful — no violence or rioting followed.



But the anger over the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer simmered throughout Tuesday’s vigil/protest in downtown Burlington.



For a few minutes, it seemingly boiled over.



“They got a badge and they killing us. So how’s that justified,” Burlington resident James Taylor yelled, standing in front of Memorial Auditorium on the city's riverfront.



Taylor had interrupted a megaphone-assisted speech by fellow Burlington resident Kip Williams, but Williams seemingly took no offense. Having just decried the rioting in Davenport that co-opted the Black Lives Matter movement, he turned toward Taylor to engage in a very public dialogue.



For a few seconds, the boisterous crowd was stunned into silence.



“That’s why we need to strengthen ourselves,” Williams said.



Taylor was angry, and not entirely convinced.



“As a community, we are supposed to look to these people to help us,” Taylor said, looking around at Burlington police officers at the rally. “And guess what they’re doing. They’re not helping us. They going against us.”



Ryland McLaughlin, a fellow protestor from Mediapolis carrying a homemade sign that read “No Justice, No Peace,” took issue with Taylor’s assessment.



A couple of hundred of feet away, Burlington Police Chief Dennis Kramer was directing traffic along Front Street to allow the protesters safe passage. A block up, on Main Street, BPD Major Jeff Klein did the same.



“Look at them. Look at our police. They trust us,” McLaughlin said, approaching Taylor and amplifying her voice.



The day before, protest/vigil organizer Tenyshia Chalupa met with Kramer and Klein to discuss the peaceful intent of the rally. She reiterated that message in front of a crowd of more than 500 Tuesday night.



“This is not a white versus black thing. This is not a people versus police thing. This an everybody versus racism and police injustice thing,” she said.



The Burlington Police Department reciprocated with support and a show of unity, casually interacting with the crowd.



Taylor was still unconvinced, and more than a little frustrated.



“They laughin’ at us. They laughin’ at us because it took us this to stand up. So why didn’t we do this a long time ago?” Taylor asked.



“We’re doing it now,” McLaughlin countered.



Williams, megaphone still in hand, didn’t argue the validity of the movement based on its timing. He was just happy to see the community motivated.



“No matter who’s smirking, and thinks it’s funny, wait till it comes to your doorstep,” Williams said. “We can’t fix yesterday. But we can do something about today.”



Having said his peace, Taylor backed down and let Williams finish his speech.



By his own admission, Taylor is far from an angel. He has a criminal history. But he doesn’t believe that disqualifies him from having an opinion about police injustice.



“I’ve been running from the judicial system, and my life has been in shambles since. But today, I’m going to stand up for what’s right,” he said.



Unity among all races and those with opposing viewpoints was a key theme of the protest. Several protesters held small signs disparaging President Donald Trump. A few blocks down, on Jefferson Street, Trump supporters parked in front of the downtown shops to keep an eye out for possible rioting. They did not agitate, nor did they venture to the police station or the riverfront to counter-protest.



A small group called for violence against the Burlington police from a megaphone as they drove by, shortly before the vigil started. They were met with indifference by the protesters, protected by locals who stepped forward in groups of two to diffuse any violence.



Burlington resident Jay Wetterling, who stood on a green park bench in front of the auditorium, spoke about the reality of white privilege, noting that he was speaking up for minority family members who don’t have the same chance to air their grievances.



“I stand here for my sister-in-law, who deals with racial discrimination every day in the U.S. Army, and she can’t say a damn thing, because, obviously, she has to keep her mouth shut. She’s in the army,” he said. “She can’t protest. She can’t post. All she can do is message people and cry.”



McLaughlin said she is done being silent. Like many, Tuesday night’s protest was her first.



“It’s not just unarmed black people. Unarmed Americans should not die in police custody,” she said.



Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who pressed his knee into George Floyd's neck which killed him according to the results of an autopsy report, had the charge against him upgraded on Wednesday. He now faces a count of second-degree murder.



The three other officers on the scene during his killing were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.



Photo by William Smith



More than 500 area residents filled downtown Burlington on Tuesday in a peaceful protest of the death of George Floyd.

United Anger at Injustice

By Beacon Staff



For the last few weeks, the Mississippi River has slowly crept its way into flood stage.



But if the weather stays somewhat dry, it’s just as likely to creep back down.



The Mississippi River was sitting at the minor flood stage of 15.3 feet Thursday evening (June 4) and is expected to rise to a crest of 15.5 feet by Friday (June 5).



That’s not high enough to significantly impact Burlington and the surrounding area, and city crews erected temporary flood barriers last week as a precaution. Those barriers likely will stay up through the summer to protect against the fluctuating waterway.



The river is projected to stay around that 15.5-foot mark through the weekend, then slowly descend below flood stage Tuesday (June 9). If projections prove correct, the river will be at 14.9 feet by then and will drop to 14.2 feet by Thursday (June 11).



If it doesn’t rain.



The next few days will be vital, and though the chance for rain is minimal, it is far from non-existent. There’s a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms tonight (June 4), but those unlikely storms could be severe. The National Weather Service is forecasting a slight risk for severe storms over Iowa, with a marginal risk over much of eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois and Missouri tonight.



The main risk from storms will be torrential rainfall, but damaging winds and large hail will be possible after midnight.



There’s also a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday (June 5), then a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms before 1 a.m. that night.



The weekend promises to be clear and sunny, with a 50 percent chance of rain returning Tuesday (June 9), and a 30 percent chance Wednesday (June 10).



Heavy rain could cause the river to level off instead of dropping or possibly cause a further rise. The National Weather Service updates the flood projection hourly, taking into account recent rain and predicted rain over 24 hours.

Mississippi River Enters Minor Flood Stage

By Beacon Staff



Any other year, graduating Burlington High School seniors would have taken their final walk flanked by family and friends. Due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, it didn’t happen on Sunday.



It likely will happen in late June or in July, according to Burlington High School Principal David Keane. By then, however, several students will have shipped out for basic training.



To make up for the loss, the school district posted a live video on Sunday honoring departing seniors on its YouTube channel.



The diplomas were handed out weeks ago, drive-thru style. However, Sunday was about paying tribute to student accomplishments.



Despite the lack of a live crowd, the ceremony played out like a typical commencement. About 300 people tuned in for the live stream, and by 9 p.m. Sunday, nearly 1,000 people watched the video.



“This generation has learned a hard lesson — that there are factors they cannot control,” said Dean Vickstrom, school board president, ending his speech with a “Go Grayhounds!”



Salutatorian Peighton Davis and valedictorian Katie Kannan spoke next.



Davis paid tribute to the late Jackson Gipe, who would have graduated with the class of 2020. Gipe died of cancer at the age of 12, and the senior class has continued to honor his memory.



“He was my best friend,” she said.



Kannan said it may seem like the end of the word to not have a normal commencement ceremony but life will go on. It will be up to each graduating senior to carve their own path, she added.



Each student was allowed to submit up to two photo slides and information about themselves. They were shown in alphabetical order as if the seniors were walking across the graduation stage.



The slides consumed the majority of the one hour and 14-minute video. Before it began, school district superintendent Pat Coen shared some words of inspiration. He did so from several locations across the school, seemingly teleporting across campus.



“You can allow these difficulties and misfortunes to negatively affect you, or you can show resilience,” he said. “I would encourage you to never forget where you came from. Always remember, once a grayhound, always a grayhound.”

Virtual Commencement Honors Graduates

By Beacon Staff



On Tuesday evening, Burlington residents will take to the streets for a peaceful vigil/protest march in response to the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer on Memorial Day.



Organizer Tenyshia Chalupa has a message for any out-of-town agitators rumored to be coming to Burlington to disrupt Tuesday's event.



“If this (rumor) is true, we will head downtown, lock arms and protect our community,” Chalupa said.



So far, the rumors are unsubstantiated.



It just won’t be local protesters protecting Burlington. The Burlington Police Department will be in attendance, with Burlington Police Chief Dennis Kramer serving as a speaker, according to Chalupa.



The vigil begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in front of the Burlington Police Department, and will then march down to the riverfront. There will be several speakers, including Chalupa, who is a mother of two. Former Burlington Mayor Shane McCampbell will offer opening remarks.



“I am urging the community to come together peacefully, to start peacefully, to end peacefully, and to disperse immediately when it’s over,” Chalupa said in an interview with The Beacon Monday afternoon.



Riots at a protest march Sunday left two dead in Davenport, and one police officer was shot.



Rumors were rife in Burlington Monday, including one regarding downtown business owners boarding their windows. While the smoke shop Dave's Not Here is taking precautions by closing and moving merchandise, only Eclectic Design and Antiques in downtown Burlington blocked up windows as of 6 p.m. Monday.



Some chain stores did close early Monday and began barricading entrances, including Walmart and Dollar General in West Burlington. Several Walmart employees reported that customers were asked to leave the store without warning at about 5:30 p.m. so it could be closed for the night. Employees had no idea the closure was coming until it happened.



Social media threats also have been made, with at least one person threatening to pelt protesters with paintballs. Burlington police have been monitoring social media threats with the help of Chalupa, taking note of who is posting. Those making threats will be among those investigated by police if violence does break out.



“We met with the Chief (Dennis Kramer) and Major (Jeff) Klein, and they are in support with us. It will be a peaceful gathering and protest, and they (police) support our message,” Chalupa said. “Do not feed into the negativity from the counter-protesters.”



Burlington Mayor Jon Billups attended the same meeting on Monday and said none of the rumors circulating around Burlington have proven to be true. He too supports the vigil/protest and plans on attending after he gets off work at 6 p.m. Tuesday.



Billups showed his support in an official statement on Facebook Monday.



“I am confident in our plans to support this event and to assist the organizers’ wishes to keep this peaceful and keep our town safe,” he said. “I am confident in our citizens and people of the surrounding area to be able to gather, converse, and support each other peacefully.”



Billups said violence will not be tolerated.



“Let us show our character by gathering together thoughtfully and peacefully,” he said.



Nationwide protests and riots have been breaking out consistently since Floyd's death. A medical examiner on Monday classified George Floyd’s death as a homicide, saying his heart stopped as police restrained him and compressed his neck, in a widely seen video that has sparked protests across the nation.



The officer has been charged with third-degree murder. The three officers who held Floyd as he died from asphyxiation have been fired, but have not been charged at this time.



Photo by Joy Mack



The entrances to the West Burlington Walmart were barricaded late Monday afternoon ahead of Tuesday's vigil/protest in response to the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer on Memorial Day.

Burlington Police To Show Support For Protesters

By Beacon Staff



Police are on the hunt for a dark-colored SUV related to a shooting that occurred around 11 p.m. Monday night in the area of South and 12th Streets.



No one was injured in the shooting, and police did not discover any property damage in the area. They did find several shell casings.



Multiple shots were fired, but police have not ascertained how many.



The only suspect description is the dark SUV itself. The culprit or culprits fired out the window from inside the vehicle before leaving the scene, and witnesses could not provide a description of the suspects.



Burlington police told The Beacon early Tuesday morning that no motive has been determined yet. Police are asking for the public’s health in identifying the shooter and/or their vehicle.



Those with information should call the Burlington Police Department dispatch number at (319) 753-8366, or Burlington Area Crime Stoppers at (319) 753-6835.

No One Injured in Monday Night Shooting; No Motive Yet Identified

Photos by Jeff Abell



Vandalism can be seen Sunday afternoon at the entrance of the former Temple Israel Synagogue at 830 Division St. in Burlington. Police are investigating and no further information was available on Sunday evening.



On one side of the entryway, the phrase "Break Glass Inn (sic) Case of Fire" is spray-painted in black. A star of David has been painted above the words and it appears that an object has been thrown through the center of the image.



The other side of the door has a similar sentence written on it; the lowest pane of glass is broken and has been spray-painted with the letter "x". A rock surrounded by shattered glass can be seen laying inside the building. Also, what appears to be a peace sign is spray-painted on the door.



Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Burlington Police Department at (319) 753-8366 or the Burlington Area Crime Stoppers at (319) 753-6835.

Vandalism Reported At Former Synagogue

By Beacon Staff



Casino dice will roll next Monday. Baseballs will soar once again. Crowds of more than 10 people will legally be allowed to gather.



Beginning on Tuesday, June 2, Iowans will even get to listen to live bands inside a bar again.



Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds rolled back additional COVID-19 related restrictions Tuesday morning, allowing casinos and amusement parks to reopen next Monday, June 1.



Gaming facilities, bowling alleys, pool halls, and arcades can also reopen June 1, and beginning this Thursday, May 28, bar owners will be allowed to open their doors again.



Racetracks will also be reopening to spectators (at half capacity) June 1, and 34 Raceway just hosted its first race in nine months this past weekend – without a crowd. An announcement about USAC Racing tickets and pit entry sales is slated for tonight on the 34 Raceway Facebook page.



Gary Hoyer, CEO of Great River Entertainment, confirmed to The Beacon that Catfish Bend Casino will be reopening on June 1. The FunCity complex attached to the casino also houses an arcade and bowling alley that is eligible to reopen, though no statement has been issued about FunCity. Hoyer plans on releasing further details later today.



No statement has been issued about the possible return of minor league baseball. Burlington Bees General Manager Kim Parker said she is waiting to hear from Major League Baseball to determine if there will be a 2020 minor league season at all. Until then, no baseball is scheduled.



Sports, recreational activities, leisure, and gatherings of more than 10 are now allowed. Youth and adult events such as baseball, softball, running, biking, tennis, swimming are allowed again as well, though groups and individuals attending must maintain six feet of distance.



Swimming is still tightly restricted, however, which means no pool parties or broad public access in the immediate future. Officials with the West Burlington pool confirmed as much shortly after the governor’s press conference.



“Per Governor Reynolds, pools are only allowed for limited purpose at this time (specifically lap swim and swim lessons). Unfortunately, we are still awaiting more information before we are able to make a decision with regards to our opening,” reads a Facebook post of the West Burlington pool.



Movie theaters are already allowed to reopen, but due to the lack of films, it could still be a little while before the theater inside Westland Mall in West Burlington opens back up to the public. The Fox Theater in Fort Madison also has yet to reopen due to lack of films, though the owners are working to provide a film schedule in the coming weeks.



Westland Mall itself is open, however, as are many of the stores within it.



“The first new movie is not until July 1, so we looking at late June (for reopening), but that could change,” reads a Facebook statement from the Westland Mall.



Reynolds said Tuesday that the state's existing disaster emergency proclamation will be extended through June 25, and more restrictions will be relaxed in the coming weeks.



Reynolds did warn that if Iowans are being irresponsible or if COVID-19 cases spike again, restrictions could be put back in place. The death toll, which is updated several times a day, currently sits at 476. That includes one death in Des Moines County and one death in Henry County.



“That privilege comes with the responsibility of ensuring you’re doing the right thing to protect your health and the health of people you care about,” Reynolds said Tuesday.

Catfish Bend Casino To Reopen Next Week As Reynolds Eases Restrictions

By Beacon Staff



The Des Moines County Courthouse likely will reopen Monday, June 8.



Des Moines County Supervisors have yet to vote on the reopening. However, supervisors Tom Broeker, Bob Beck, and Jim Cary discussed the matter during their Tuesday morning (May 26) board meeting.



Des Moines County Attorney Lisa Schaefer said reopening the courthouse to the public is needed to speed up processing non-jury cases.



The board agreed that it would be in the best interest of the county to get those proceedings rolling again. The June 8 date would follow the June 2 primary election.



Though the board made no action to rescind the closure, which has been in effect since March 18, they can vote on reopening the courthouse on June 2. That is when the board next meets in regular session.



Non-jury hearings won’t start until July 13, and jury trials can’t resume until Sept. 14. They were initially planning for non-jury trials to resume June 1, until the Iowa Supreme court issued a directive pushing those dates back.



“We’re going to have a lot of office staff with not a lot to do, so we’re going to have start figuring out how to keep people busy, or what the other alternatives are,” Schaefer said.



Des Moines County Conservation Director Chris Lee also reported to the board Tuesday, noting that the Memorial Day weekend was busy for county parks and campgrounds. He expects that interest to continue through the summer.



“I went on Big Hollow Lake, took the family out, and it was just unbelievable the number of kayaks and boats, and people all around the park. We put that new kayak launch a few years ago, and it’s just wildly popular,” he said.



So popular, he said, that lack of parking is becoming an issue.



“So it goes,” Lee said.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/burlingtonbeacon/photos/a.319560488749149/557878901583972/?type=3&amp;eid=ARCzalrEXbiTB4t4b87nsQm_9vvbs8C76iCRTsf8_V83x1Ly7Epy8BuOIRoOl0ABeaBn9f6zFKRAoSGp&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCO5YvUJtWc6EO8WF7nR7RzFMe_UmIgrqA_0T76wUagXkXfr5iWWVIVJpwe6OU1GwvBwxUvvYrBbVa-68lMGqhYEjwY-FBgUcEmWTivzktDymI6Hgs1paYiQwYAvzMrpSDx4wdsmzWKQfgfUb_o3AH-hw3-puyKs_hmrxOVcKA439pA_MozxlcNYpS4q_RTAadTnWJP5os2-lk7ONDp5YesGlotyGcnejfh0nBRKNDWOMTUssoCjcHeZ1rwvRaiP6CDWx-7Mkk2gQzwVKFQkHScEbiVC9i6mtgWuCAYFdRaanyqz3jcdDpCWJSPg27g_YRmoYEKqQH9GiWFnIzrr0c&amp;__tn__=EHH-R"></a>

Des Moines County Supervisors Eye Reopening Of Courthouse

By Beacon Staff



Police arrested a Burlington man Thursday (May 28) for possession of meth and several weapons charges after several gunshots and an alleged argument in the 1200 block of Dehner Street earlier in the day.



Ryan Mason O’Neill, 23, has been charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, going armed with intent, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and interference with official acts.



The Burlington Police Department responded to multiple complaints of shots fired in the 1200 block of Dehner Street at around 12:11 p.m. Thursday.



Upon arrival, officers learned a male and a female had been arguing in the area just before the shooting. Officers located and interviewed the two subjects, which lead to a search warrant of a house on that block.



Police recovered a gun described by witnesses at the home and subsequently arrested O’Neill. No injuries were reported from the shooting incident.



According to Lt. Wayne Thompson with the Burlington Police Department, O’Neill is being held at the Des Moines County Correctional Center in Burlington on no bond, pending a court appearance.



Thomson said the incident is still under investigation, and additional arrests are expected.

Argument Leads to Alleged Shooting Incident and Arrest, But No Injuries

By Beacon Staff



Burlington resident Keith Turrill believes he may have contracted the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a few months ago.



He is not sure, of course, and likely never will be without a serologic (antibody test), which detects antibodies people develop after becoming infected with the novel coronavirus. Unlike the cotton swab test, the serologic test is not considered reliable by the CDC, which Turrill understands.



Since Turrill did exhibit most of the symptoms of coronavirus and is considered high risk because of his asthma, he figured it would be prudent to get a cotton swab test. Drive-thru testing conducted by health professionals from Great River Health System began Wednesday at the Des Moines County Fairgrounds in West Burlington.



“It went pretty well. I went online, did the survey,” he said, noting that was the first step.



Qualifying For The Test



Before obtaining an appointment to be tested at the Des Moines County Fairgrounds, individuals must first complete a brief survey on the Test Iowa website. Questions range from medical (identifying if you are diabetic, pre-diabetic, etc.) to behavioral, such as how often you are in public. You will also be asked to provide your height and weight.



The website determines if you are eligible for a test, as Turrill was. The option to test in Des Moines County does not appear on the initial confirmation screen (the closest test site presented is Ottumwa). However, if you signify you wanted to be tested at a local clinic by clicking that option, the Des Moines County test site does appear.



From there, you are given a unique identity code and a QR code, which must be scanned at the test site, either with a print-out copy or screen capture on your phone. An email containing this information is also sent.



You must then call the clinic, present your case-sensitive identity code, and then schedule an appointment.



Turrill said he didn’t get his email until after he tested, but it worked out fine. He just presented a copy of the code when he arrived using a screenshot from his phone.



Taking The Test



Turrill scheduled his appointment for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and he waited in line for 15 minutes — mostly due to a large semi truck-trailer in front of him.



“I think they were trying to figure out how to get up on the truck and test them,” Turrill said.



Those who arrive for a test are told not to leave their vehicles, so the truck driver never had to exit.



His test went even quicker, which is the norm.



“They checked my ID, and put the swab in my nose for a few seconds,” Turrill said.



Some people report painful aftereffects, such as Burlington resident Wendi Riggens. Her nose itched and burned for about 30 minutes afterward.



Turrill suffered no post-swab discomfort.



“It felt like blowing your nose,” he said.



Doctors test for COVID-19 by collecting a culture from the mucus in the uppermost part of the throat, behind the nose. A cotton-tipped swab is gently passed through a nostril and into the nasopharynx, which is located over the roof of the mouth. The swab is quickly rotated and removed.



Turrill will know his results about three days after the test, but he’s sure he’s negative. He hasn’t had symptoms in quite some time and mostly stays at home. He’s a photographer, but the pandemic has hurt business.



“I don’t see any return to normal until they get a vaccine,” he said



Photo by Keith Turrill



Health care workers from Great River Health System are shown on Wednesday at the drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic in West Burlington.

Coronavirus Testing Moves Forward in Des Moines County

By Beacon Staff



As cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iowa climbed to 18,792 on Friday, the count in Des Moines continues to confuse locals.



On Thursday (May 28), the reported cases of COVID-19 in Des Moines County rose to 61, then dropped to 59 a day later, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. That number rebounded back to 62 later Friday night (May 29), and remained there as of early Saturday morning (May 30).



Earlier in the month, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said the fluctuation in confirmed positive COVID-19 cases was due to reporting errors. She said. confirmed positive cases in the city of Des Moines were mistakenly attributed to Des Moines County.



The Iowa Department of Public Health could not be reached on Friday for further comment on the reporting discrepancies.



COVID-19 Openings And Cancellations



In Burlington, city officials announced Friday (May 29) that playgrounds and skate parks will reopen June 1, while restrooms will open on June 5. Drinking fountains remain closed, but basketball, tennis courts, and frisbee golf are still open to the public.



Dankwardt Park Pool will remain closed, while Flint Hills Golf Course is now open. Summer camps will begin on June 8, and the Burlington Regional RecPlex will open for tournaments on June 1.



The Downtown 5&amp;V Cinema (which is outside) will return for its annual summer season starting on June 6 with a screening of “Frozen II.”



The Burlington Municipal Band has canceled all summer concerts in Crapo Park. The Lee County Fair will be open only to junior 4-H children.



The Des Moines County Fair will go on as originally planned, however, that could still change. Fair officials updated the fair’s status via Facebook Thursday.



“We are proceeding as normal with camping registration and set-up of the campgrounds during fair at this time. Should public health and safety guidelines change we reserve the right to make changes to ensure the safety of all those involved,” the post reads.



Though campers will be welcome, events for the fair are being streamlined to consist of 4-H and FFA livestock events and exhibits. Food vendors will likely still be part of the fair as well, though a final decision won't be made until June 20. Fair organizers are currently exploring safe ways for exhibitors to auction their livestock off after the fair.

Iowa Coronavirus Cases Climbing With More Testing, Des Moines County Cases Yo-Yo

By Beacon Staff



Organizers of a vigil to honor the life of Minneapolis, Minn., resident George Floyd — which is also being dubbed as a Protest Against Racism — will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in front of the Burlington Police Department.



Floyd was allegedly murdered by a Minneapolis police officer on Memorial Day, May 25. A criminal complaint against former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, shows that George Floyd was "non-responsive" for nearly three minutes before Chauvin took his knee off his neck during an arrest.



Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder.



Organizers are stressing that this will be a peaceful vigil. Signs and candles are welcome. After taking a knee in front of the police department, attendees will be invited to march down to the riverfront for a rally protest.



“Please wear a BLACK shirt and bring appropriate signs and candles to light at the riverfront to honor the lives lost! We want this to be a civil protest to spread our message! Violence, obstruction, and vandalism will not be tolerated,” event organizer and Burlington resident Tenyshia Chalupa said in a Facebook post promoting the event.



The Beacon has reached out to Chalupa for further comment.



Those interested in speaking at the protest are encouraged to contact Chalupa on her Facebook page.



The three officers who held Floyd down while Chauvin pressed his knee to Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes have been fired. The story instantly spread when a video of the incident showing Floyd pleading for air went viral.



Since then, protests and riots have erupted across the nation.



Photo courtesy of John Autey/St. Paul Pioneer Press



A man stands atop his car holding a photo of George Floyd as people gather Thursday in Minneapolis to remember and protest his death.

Vigil and Protest in Honor of George Floyd To Be Held in Front of BPD Tuesday Night

Jeff Abell: Owner and general manager.



William Smith: Community editor



Joy Mack: Photographer/videographer



Anthony Dewitt: Photographer



Email: burlingtonbeacon@gmail.com

The Burlington Beacon Staff:

Story and photos by William Smith



Due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, there was no official Memorial Day service on Monday in Burlington and West Burlington.



However, people still visited the Mississippi Valley Veterans Memorial in West Burlington, eager to pay tribute to America’s fallen heroes.



The Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard arrived before the light crowd, working out a truncated ceremony on the spot. The crowd stood at a distance, clustered into small groups of those who arrived together.



Dressed in full uniform, Burlington veteran Mike McCullough read a short speech from the podium, highlighting the importance and origin of Memorial Day. Behind him, black stone slabs etched with the names of the local fallen glinted in the sunlight.



Burlington honor guard member Curt Daughters and Larry Shacklett folded the American flag 13 times. Fellow honor guard member Jim Holtkamp stood beside them and explained the significance of each fold.



Honor guard member Dennis Brobston played taps on his trumpet under the memorial arch, his fellow veterans standing solemnly, holding their rifles in front of them.



The honor guard then stood side-by-side as McCullough saluted them, pointing their rifles at the sky. Empty shells fell to the ground with every rifle crack, a traditional salute to their fallen brothers and sisters.



Ten minutes after it began, the service ended, and the veterans gingerly bent down to collect their spent shells — another Memorial Day tradition of politeness and respect.



Michael Knotts of West Burlington visited the memorial Monday morning to find his father’s name on the stone tablets. Knotts served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1972. His grandfather also served — as did his uncle, a cousin, and other family members.



“I like to come out here every once in a while,” Michael Knotts said.



The temperature rising with every minute, the veterans cheerily chatted with the crowd and each other then went about their way. They will be back next year, same day, same time.

Remembering The Fallen

By Beacon Staff



An Argyle man who was reported missing earlier in the week was found dead this morning (May 23) after falling from a height of 45 to 50 feet, according to authorities.



Jacob “Jake” Pezley of Argyle was discovered near a railroad bridge in Argyle after several days of searching by family, neighbors, friends, and law enforcement.



“Mr. Pezley was a very well known Lee County resident and it was very apparent from the number of people who came out this morning to do a ground search for him,” Lee County Sheriff Stacy Weber said in a press release.



Pezley was last seen in the Argyle area on May 18 and was driving a white 2003 Pontiac Vibe. The vehicle was found near a railroad crossing in the Argyle area on Belfast Road, not far from his residence.



No further details have been released. The subsequent death investigation will be conducted by the Lee County Sheriff's Criminal Investigations Division with the assistance of the Lee County Medical Investigator.



“We wanted to thank the many volunteers who came out this morning and those who have looked tirelessly for Mr. Pezley. His family appreciated it greatly, as did your sheriff,” Weber said.



The Lee County Emergency Management, Lee County Ambulance Service, Iowa State Patrol, Farmington Fire and Rescue, Des Moines Township Fire and Rescue, Donnellson, and West Point Police Departments, Iowa Department of Transportation, BNSF Police Department and the Lee County Reserve Unit assisted in the search.

Argyle Man Found Dead Near Railroad Crossing

By Beacon Staff



West Liberty Foods has reported eight positive cases of COVID-19 at its meatpacking plant in Mount Pleasant.



The company reported two of those cases Wednesday, May 20, then confirmed another six cases Friday, May 22.



West Liberty Food has been providing regular updates on the COVID-19 count in all its facilities via Facebook since the end of April. The company said anyone at the Mount Pleasant plant who is at an elevated risk has been notified.



Henry County currently has 57 cases of COVID-19, while Des Moines County has reported 56 cases.



A testing site for Des Moines County is opening Wednesday (May 27) at the county fairgrounds (on the Southeastern Community College campus). The entrance is on Gear Avenue. Appointments must be made in advance through&nbsp;<a href="http://www.testiowa.gov/?fbclid=IwAR0sclGxlcXtwe-sCZbrXWtUjLb_mq9bkWU1FICw1PZN7bsJwRe18iqrdF4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.testiowa.gov</a>&nbsp;beginning Tuesday (May 26).



Saturday marked the second time in three days that Iowa has recorded a daily high in deaths due to COVID-19.



The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 26 more deaths Saturday, topping Thursday’s previous high by five.



The state’s total coronavirus death count climbed to 90 for the week and now sits at 447.

Coronavirus confirmed at West Liberty Foods In Mount Pleasant

By Beacon Staff



West Burlington’s annual Independence Day celebration has been canceled due to concerns regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.



But the fireworks will go on. City councilman and event chairperson Andy Crowner made the announcement Thursday morning (May 21) in a press release.



“We feel it is important that at this time, when our city and our nation needs to pull together, that we recognize the fight that formed this great independent nation so very long ago,” Crowner said in the release.



The city of West Burlington is planning on having a fireworks show to celebrate the holiday.



“We are still working out some details, but we are planning on having the show in an area where it is easy to see from a large number of vehicles to provide for social distancing. Final details will be announced when they are available,” Crowner said.



Additional celebration events are being discussed, such as a live-stream of speakers from the city hall. The annual raffle to fund the fireworks may still happen as well. If it does, tickets will be purchased online.

West Burlington Fourth Of July Celebration Canceled, Fireworks Still Will Take Place

Game review by William Smith



If I reviewed every Batman game, I wouldn’t have time to write anything else.



There are literally dozens to choose from, ranging in quality from laughably horrible to the best experiences gaming has to offer — kind of like the movies.



So I’ve narrowed it down to three, starting with the best.



“Batman: The Video Game” (Nintendo Entertainment System, 1990)



Unfortunately, the best Batman game is the most difficult. We’re talking 1980s Nintendo hard. Throw your controller at the screen “Battletoads” hard.



Like most kids, I rented it from my local video store. Then I died, over and over again, unable to reach the second level. I never played it again —until last week. I’m no better a gamer than I was 30 years ago, and was forced to turn the rewind/slow-motion function on in my emulator to stand a chance.



It was only through blatant cheating I discovered how tight the controls are. How ingenious the level design is. How superior art design can trump ancient technology.



The movie tie-in is limited here, especially since Batman wears his traditional blue suit rather than the black Michael Keaton version. This feels like a fresh Batman story told through kinetic action rather than words.



If you want another great Batman game in this style, try the Sega Genesis version. It’s a completely different game with similar mechanics, and nearly as good.



“Batman Returns” (Super Nintendo, 1993)



Much easier, much prettier, and much longer than the Nintendo original, this direct film tie-in to “Batman Returns” is a rarity — a one player beat-em-up that never gets boring.



The Super Nintendo really flexes its muscle with lavish graphics and meticulous detail, even allowing the player to smash store windows by throwing baddies into the background.



The challenge feels much more balanced here, though I was never quite able to finish the game in my early teenage years. It was so fun, I kept renting it anyway.



If anything, “Batman Returns” is just a bit too lengthy, especially without the modern convenience of saving your game. The only way to take a break back in the 90s was to pause the game for hours at a time, which inevitably ended in parental chiding about burning images into the TV screen.



“Batman” (Arcade, 1990)



Not a bad game by arcade platforming standards, but a hollow shell compared to the two games above.



It’s still a lot better than the “Superman” arcade game and is the only game on the list that faithfully recreates the original Michael Keaton “Batman” film. Nearly scene-by-scene, surprisingly enough.



That means you throw Jack Nicholson into a vat of green acid at the beginning of the game to turn him into the Joker, then throw him off the clock tower to his doom at the end.



Ironically enough, Joker’s death in the arcade game is actually more dramatic than the film, portraying his final fall in a detailed, Hans Gruber from “Die Hard” fashion. It makes the 20 minutes that come before more than worth it.

Critiquing The Batman

By Beacon Staff



A Burlington man was arrested on a federal warrant for dealing narcotics Thursday (May 21), following an investigation by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force that is still ongoing.



Adam Brent Branton, 39, is charged with possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, and was also arrested on a federal warrant for possession of a firearm by a felon.



A number of police units coordinated to execute a search warrant at 313 South Sixth St., including the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, the Burlington Police Department and the Des Moines County Tactical Response Unit.



According to Burlington Police Lt. Wayne Thomson, Branton is being held on pending a court appearance, and additional arrests are expected.

Federal Warrants Lead To Burlington Drug Arrest

By Beacon Staff



More than 250-yard signs featuring the faces of Burlington High School’s 2020 graduates lined the lawn outside the school Thursday, May 21, stretching for over a quarter of a mile.



School staff, board members, and volunteers stood behind the signs for three hours, waving and congratulating the seniors as they circled the school. The students will be able to take the signs home later this evening.



That’s just the beginning of the celebrations planned for BHS’s seniors. A virtual graduation commencement will air at 3 p.m. May 31, and another graduation celebration is being tentatively scheduled for July.



Photo courtesy of Brandi Coleman: Burlington High School senior Kira Harris (Photo 1) stands next to a sign honoring her as a 2020 graduate.